I really didn't intend to make a living based on my looks.

Chapter 113 Casting and Filming Start

Yuci, Shanxi Province, Old Town Film and Television Base.

The crew of "The Women of the Knife Family" filmed for four months on the dusty plains of Jinzhong, and finally wrapped up filming.

Directed by Yang Wenjun and starring Tong Liya, Yang Shuo, Mao Xiaotong, and He Saifei, this drama tells the story of the ups and downs of several generations of women in a family of swordsmen during the Republican era.

Mao Xiaotong's portrayal of Mingyue is the most heartbreaking character in the drama.

A gentle, forbearing, and traditional woman who sacrificed everything for her family.

During the four months of filming, she rolled on the loess slopes, cried in the sandstorms, and wore a thin old-fashioned cotton-padded jacket in a cave dwelling at sub-zero temperatures, her lips turning purple from the cold, but she never uttered a word of complaint.

Today is her last day of filming.

The final scene shows Mingyue standing beneath the old city wall, watching her beloved depart into the distance.

There were no lines, only a figure gradually receding into the distance, and a pair of eyes filled with tears, yet stubbornly refusing to fall.

"Cut!" Yang Wenjun stood up from behind the monitor, clapped her hands, and said, "That's a wrap! Mingyue, filming wrapped!"

The audience erupted in applause.

Mao Xiaotong was still standing under the city wall, her eyes red, and she didn't come out for a while.

The assistant director ran over and handed her a bouquet of flowers, which brought her back to her senses, and she stopped crying and started smiling.

She was wearing an old-fashioned cheongsam from the Republican era, with pale blue orchids embroidered on a moon-white background, and a plain sash tied around her waist.

Her hair was styled in an old-fashioned bun, with a silk flower tucked behind her ear, and she wore a pair of handmade cloth shoes with sewn soles.

She wore this outfit for three months. When she first put it on, she felt it was dowdy, but now that she had to take it off, she felt a little reluctant to part with it.

"Come on, let's take a wrap-up photo!" the photographer called out to her.

Mao Xiaotong stood under the old city wall, holding flowers, the wind blowing up the hem of her cheongsam.

She flashed a "V" sign at the camera, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

When she was removing her makeup, she looked in the mirror and carefully removed the hair clips from her head, one by one.

The makeup artist next to me said, "Sister Xiaotong, your skin is so good. It hasn't sagged even after being exposed to wind and sand for four months."

Mao Xiaotong smiled, but before she could say anything, her phone vibrated.

The screen displayed three words: Jiang Daxia.

She smiled and answered the call.

"Mao Mao—" Jiang Chen's voice came lazily from the other end of the phone, "Are you still living on the Loess Plateau, drinking the wind?"

Before Mao Xiaotong could even wipe the smile off her face, she rolled her eyes.

"Jiang Chen, can you change your name? Mao Mao is awful! It sounds like a dog's name."

"What should I call you then? Xiaotong, Tongtong? That's too cheesy. Teacher Mao? Can you handle that?"

"—You called just to spite me, didn't you?"

"Of course not," Jiang Chen's tone was serious for two seconds before it sank again, "I was just asking, since this great hero has recently mastered his skills, didn't you go to my concert to observe and learn?"

"I'd love to go, but I can't get leave from the film crew! By the way, Master Jiang, how's your kung fu practice going? Show me a move next time we meet?"

"I've already reached the ninth level, able to strike a cow from a distance and leave no trace in the snow. I'll show you something new next time."

"Okay, I'll wait." Mao Xiaotong laughed. "Speak, what is it? You don't usually call, so when you do, it means something's up."

"You really know me."

"—Nonsense, we spent over three months on the set of 'Gu Jian', don't I know what kind of person you are?"

Mao Xiaotong complained, but her tone softened unconsciously.

Jiang Chen is so popular lately, and she is genuinely happy for him, but she also has a vague feeling that the distance between the two of them is widening.

But every time he calls, Jiang Chen is still the same old guy, always asking for a beating.

"Alright, let's get down to business. You know what I've been filming lately."

"My Love from the Star, who in China doesn't know it? 1.2 million per episode, big stars."

"Stop being so cheeky," Jiang Chen coughed, "I have a role for you, the second female lead, which I think would be perfect for you."

Mao Xiaotong was stunned.

"You want me to audition?"

"Yes," Jiang Chen said casually, "I had my assistant send you the script. Take a look. Come to Yanjing next Tuesday afternoon. The director and producer will be there."

Mao Xiaotong held her phone, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Her feelings for Jiang Chen were complicated!

He saw her at her most vulnerable, crying her heart out in front of Jiang Chen that day, and she felt embarrassed every time she thought about it.

But for some reason, it also felt very familiar.

She had a good impression of him, but that was all.

This guy is too charming; she can't control herself.

"Feed? Mao Mao? Is the signal bad?" Jiang Chen's voice pulled her back to reality.

"Yes, yes, yes," Mao Xiaotong cleared her throat, "I'm just—a little surprised. You—you specifically called to tell me this?"

"What else? Have the assistant send a mass message? That's so insincere."

"Then—then I'll give it a try."

"It's not a trial, it's an audition," Jiang Chen corrected her. "The process still needs to be followed. The director wants to see your performance, so get ready."

"Okay." Mao Xiaotong bit her lip, mustered her courage, and said, "Achen."

"Thank you."

From "Hero Jiang" to "Achen," it's just a matter of one title.

Jiang Chen was silent for a while, then his tone became nonchalant again.

"What are you thanking me for? If you fail the audition, it's not just you who'll lose face, it'll be mine. If the person I strongly recommended botches the role, how will I ever be able to hold my head high in front of Chen Zhixi again?"

Mao Xiaotong: "————"

"So you better prepare well, or you'll end up crying and saying sorry to Brother Chen."

"Jiang Chen! Can you please stop being so venomous!"

"No, alright, that's enough. See you in Yanjing next Tuesday."

"Okay, see you in Yanjing."

The phone hangs up.

The makeup artist, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Sister Xiaotong, why is your face red?"

Mao Xiaotong put her phone face down on the table, picked up a makeup remover pad, and wiped her face haphazardly.

"It's nothing. Just the wind."

The makeup artist looked out the window.

The April wind squeezed in through the cracks in the window, carrying the dry scent of the Loess Plateau.

She could smell the scent of spring.

A hotel room in Shanghai.

Lin Gengxin was wearing headphones, nestled in his gaming chair, with a ranked match playing on the screen.

He was playing ADC, and he was already down 30 CS in the bot lane, with a score of 0/3/1.

Wang Sicong's voice came through the headphones like a machine gun.

"Do you even know how to play?"

"Did you move with your feet?"

"The enemy jungler is coming and you're not going to use Flash? Are you waiting until the New Year?"

"Lin Gou, were you kissed silly by Jiro Wang while filming 'Sister, Stand Up and Move Forward'?"

"Hold!!!"

Lin Gengxin's hand trembled, and the mouse almost flew out of his hand. "Brother Cong! I beg you, please stop talking!"

Those were memories he couldn't bear to recall.

-

Last year, when he filmed the drama "Sister, Stand Up and Move Forward", I don't know which brainless screenwriter came up with the idea that he and Wang Dongcheng would have a kissing scene.

He had read the script and thought it was just a camera trick.

Unexpectedly, producer Lin Hsin-ju requested to film the actual scenes, and the director insisted as well!

After filming that scene, he went to the bathroom and dry heaved for five minutes. Later, he even cried when he got back to the hotel.

Now, just mentioning it brings that scene back to mind.

Wang Sicong's joke ended there: "How's things going between you and Tang Ren lately?"

Lin Gengxin's expression darkened.

On February 5, 2013, he officially filed a lawsuit against Tangren Film Company in the MH District Court of Shanghai, demanding the termination of his agency contract.

"What else can I do? That bastard Cai thinks she made me famous, so of course he's not happy. He wants to sue me and even said he'd blacklist me."

"She's blacklisting you?" Wang Sicong sneered. "What makes her think she can blacklist you? Do you think I'm dead?"

"I've got someone handling the lawsuit, so don't worry about it."

"————Thanks, Brother Cong."

"Thanks my ass. By the way, I have a question for you."

"Um?"

Do you know Jiang Chen?

Lin Gengxin thought for a moment, "We met once, at the National Drama Awards. We sat together, but we didn't talk much."

"How is he?"

Lin Gengxin carefully considered his words: "I'm not familiar with him, so I can't comment. But I feel he has a good personality and is quite low-key, unlike some artists who get arrogant after becoming a little famous."

"Then why did he support you playing the second male lead?"

"Huh?" Lin Gengxin was taken aback. "What, the second male lead?"

"You played the second male lead in 'My Love from the Star.' Wanda Group also invested in this drama, right? Many companies are vying for roles in this drama recently, and I recommended you."

"Lin Yufen wasn't too happy about it at first. You know, she has a good relationship with Li Guoli and Lao Cai, so she had some concerns."

"But Jiang Chen is very supportive of you, saying that your image is suitable and your acting skills are up to par, and he is willing to let you give it a try."

Lin Gengxin sat up straight, his expression changing from doubt to seriousness.

"Jiang Chen—isn't he the lead actor? How come he has such a lot of influence on set?"

"He assembled the entire production team; he's the original screenwriter, the male lead, and he even signed a performance-based agreement, making him practically a co-investor. Given his current status, who wouldn't give him face?"

"I thought you two were pretty close."

Lin Gengxin scratched his head: "We're not really that close—"

"Then get to know him better," Wang Sicong interrupted him. "In this industry, having more friends means having more opportunities. I've observed Jiang Chen; he's intelligent and capable, not just a flash in the pan. Getting closer to him won't hurt."

"Come to Yanjing in a few days for an audition, just a formality. I've already spoken to people; as long as you don't mess up, the second male lead is yours."

Lin Gengxin held his phone, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He is currently in a lawsuit with Lao Cai, and many people in the circle are watching and not daring to take sides easily.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Chen, whom he had only met once, was willing to lend him a hand at this time.

"----good."

"Stop dawdling, I'll have someone pick you up."

"OK."

The phone hangs up.

Lin Gengxin stared at the League of Legends game on the screen. The game had long ended, and the screen was frozen on the two big words "Defeat".

He switched to another app, opened WeChat, found Jiang Chen's profile picture, a still from the TV series "Gu Jian Qi Tan" (Swords of Legends), nothing fancy.

The chat history between the two people is empty.

He thought for a long time and then typed: "Brother Chen, thank you. Could you sign something for me sometime when you have time?"

A few minutes later, the other end replied: "No signature, but a contract. Are you coming or not?"

Lin Gengxin stared at the message, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Come."

March 3, 20 am.

The official Weibo account of "My Love from the Star" released a set of character photos with the caption: "Four hundred years of time and space intersecting, a destined encounter. Jiang Chen, Jing Tian, ​​Mao Xiaotong, Lin Gengxin, the world of 'My Love from the Star' officially begins."

Four photos, four characters, displayed one by one.

In the photo of Jiang Chen as Jiang Jun, he stands in front of a starry sky backdrop, wearing a black turtleneck sweater and a dark gray long coat. He turns his head to the side, his eyes carrying a calmness that does not belong to his age.

The light and shadow fell on half of his face, giving him an inexplicably melancholic air.

Jing Tian, ​​dressed in a silver-white sequined long dress, with a white fox fur shawl draped over her shoulders, sunglasses pushed up to her head, her red lips slightly parted, and her chin slightly raised.

She leaned against a red sports car, her index finger hooking the car key, her posture both languid and flamboyant.

Mao Xiaotong plays Liu Jingmei in a light pink chiffon shirt, off-white wide-leg pants, shoulder-length short hair tucked behind her ears, and light makeup.

She sat by the window, holding a book in her hands, her face turned towards the sunlight, her smile gentle.

But there was something indescribable hidden in her eyes, like envy, like resentment.

Lin Gengxin plays Li Huijing, wearing a white sweater and khaki casual pants, standing in front of a sun-drenched floor-to-ceiling window with his hands in his pockets.

The four official photos were posted and garnered over 100,000 reposts in less than an hour.

The comments section was uniformly filled with similar sentiments.

"I can tell whether this show is good or not just by looking at it!"

"I'd be dead if Jiang Chen gave me that look."

"Jing Tian has finally acted in a drama that I can understand."

"Mao Xiaotong is too ruthless! A gentle knife, each cut takes a life."

"This picture of Lin Gengxin is of that senior from our school who comes from a wealthy family but always uses my cafeteria card to pay for meals."

On March 21, the production team announced other important characters one after another.

In the official costume photo of Zu Feng as Li Yaojing, he is wearing a black suit and a dark gray tie, his hair is neatly combed back, his eyes are sinister, and there is a half-smile on the corner of his mouth.

Wu Sanshi plays Jing Yancai. The thirteen-year-old Wu Sanshi is wearing a high school uniform, with his schoolbag slung over one shoulder, looking at the camera with a look of disdain.

He held up his phone in his right hand, the screen displaying news about his sister, Jing Yiren.

Wang Yaoqing plays Liu Shuo. Wang Yaoqing's costume photo shows him in a prosecutor's uniform, sitting upright with piercing eyes.

The badges on his shoulder straps reflected the light, giving him an aura of righteousness.

But for some reason, he's a bit silly.

After the entire supporting cast was announced, netizens' enthusiasm soared even higher!

Within just a few days, the production team finalized all the filming details with lightning speed.

The venue, costumes, props, and makeup are all progressing rapidly.

Jing Tian played a significant role in this.

Jiang Chen casually remarked, "It's unacceptable for top female celebrities not to wear haute couture."

Without saying a word, she immediately unleashed her ultimate move.

I used my family's connections—not my connections in the fashion industry, of course.

She managed to acquire a whole wardrobe of haute couture gowns from major international brands.

It's not a loan, it's a purchase.

In the costume room of the film crew, a row of dust bags from Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy hung up, leaving Chen Zhixi dumbfounded.

"I always knew she brought her own funding to the production, but I didn't know she would also bring her own wardrobe."

Wang Sicong also came in very handy in terms of the venue.

Jiang Chen was being so kind, so he couldn't just leave without doing something in return.

Luxury homes, huh? I have plenty.

And what about private jets and private yachts?

Arrange everything for us!

Chen Zhixi was completely convinced.

She suddenly realized that Jiang Chen was more suited to be a producer than she was.

The two most difficult problems for the production team were solved by him with just a few words.

This was one of the reasons why Jiang Chen chose Jing Tian as the female lead and collaborated with Wanda Group.

Haute couture gowns, ultra-luxury mansions, top-tier filming locations —

These resources, which most people would fight tooth and nail to access, are simply a matter of lifting a finger for them.

Everything is ready.

March 25, 2013, Yanjing Huairou Film and Television Base.

Filming for "My Love from the Star" has officially begun.